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Luca Fappani and Anna Clausen Tie To Win The Run For A Million $50,000-added Non Pro Championship

Luca Fappani and Anna Clausen Tie To Win The Run For A Million $50,000-added Non Pro Championship
August 20, 2021

Luca Fappani and Anna Clausen Tie To Win The Run For A Million $50,000-added Non Pro Championship

Day two of The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge showcased non pro riders with the $50,000 Added Non Pro Championships. After 67 riders slid, spun and circled their way through the South Point Arena, it was Luca Fappani riding Icecube and Anna Clausen aboard Smart Tinseltown who came out on top with a score of 221.5 tying to share the title and $30,179.

Fappani had to watch 2019’s Non Pro Championships from the stands since he didn’t have a horse to qualify on, so he was especially excited to just show this year, let alone win. Though he and Icecube have won other titles together in the past, Fappani said it was also validating to finally get a championship this year with the stallion after being close several times.
“I’m proud and super happy for my horse,” Fappani said. “This year I was able to qualify and have my horse here that I love so much. He’s been so good. It means a lot. This is probably becoming the biggest show in performance horses, so it’s super exciting to get to show. There’s a big crowd even for the non pro events, so it’s really fun.”

Fappani & Icecube following their win — Photo by TRFAM

Fappani, 17, said Icecube (SG Frozen Enterprize x Taris Designer Genes) got better and better as the week progressed, warming up possibly the best he ever has before the Championships. He knew before riding into the pen that the horse was on top of his game.
“He turned great both ways and circled fast and controlled on both, so I was really proud of him,” Fappani said. “He listened the whole time. There really isn’t much I’d change. I had a pretty bad turn penalty one way and I was mad at myself about that, but that’s about it. The rest he was really good.”
Icecube has been a special homebred horse for Fappani’s family. The stallion and Fappani’s mom, Tish, won the 2018 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity Level 4 Non Pro Championship. In 2019, Fappani’s dad, Andrea, an NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider, placed 10th in the Level 4 Open with him at the NRHA Derby. Fappani and Icecube also won the 2020 High Roller Reining Classic Derby Level 4 Non Pro together and were reserve at the 2021 National Reining Breeders Classic.
Fappani thanked his parents for their support of him and for helping he and Icecube get ready for the show.
“My dad has helped me so much with this horse. I’ve had ups and downs with this horse the whole time I’ve ridden him, and he’s always been there to help. I mess it up a lot, and he’s always helped me bring it back together,” Fappani said. “My mom as well — she’s always helping me get my horses ready, and she’s always there to listen. Both my parents are incredible.”

Anna Clausen & Smart Tinseltown — Photo by Carolyn Simancik

Anna Clausen and Smart Tinseltown tied for the win. Smart Tinseltown is no stranger to The Run For A Million, as he carried Clausen’s sister, Shelby, to the win in the Non Pro Championships in 2019.
“I just was trying to live up to my sister’s footsteps. I thought I hadn't made it quite there, but after the judge's score cards were reviewed and the scores corrected, there was a tie,” Clausen said. “I was super happy with my run, so I really couldn’t complain at all.”
Clausen and the gelding (Smart Spook x Tinseltown Lil Step) shared $30,179 for the Co-Championship making all the hard work that went into preparing for the event well worth it.
“This has been the ultimate goal for me for two years, so it means a lot to be able to come here, place high and be able to do good,” Clausen said. “This is the ultimate competition. It’s not just younger horses; it’s older horses, too. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to compete in.”

Taking third place were Taylor Zimmerman and Its All About Ruf (Not Ruf At All x Dun Pretty Nifty), who scored a 220.5. They went home with $8,564.
“It meant a lot that I was able to come here and qualify for this show and get to show my horse,” Zimmerman said. “Thank you to everybody that helped put this on. It’s incredible. And thank you to Taylor Sheridan. This is crazy and so cool and so special.”


The action continues on Friday, Aug. 20, at The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge.

The $100,000 Platinum Performance Open Shoot Out will kick off the day at 8 a.m. PST, followed by the $150,000 Teton Ridge Invitational Fence Work Challenge at 7:00 p.m.

Performances can be watched live at horseshowglobal.com.

For more information, go to the event’s website or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Edited TRFAM Press Release